JodyWatleyStyle.

Fashion. Beauty. Health. Life. Style. Music. Art.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Jody Watley in V Magazine Summer 2014



Jody Watley Candid.  V Magazine Photo Session.





Article:
THE IRREPRESSIBLE JODY WATLEY RETURNS WITH A BRAND NEW ALBUM THAT HARKS BACK TO HER FUNK SOUL ROOTS. HERE, THE SINGER REFLECTS ON HER RISE TO THE TOP, WORKING WITH THE WORLD’S GREATEST FASHION PHOTOGRAPHERS AND STAYING TRUE.
Jody Watley at Giorgio’s the exclusive, the exclusive Saturday party at The Standard in Hollywood, where Mick Jagger and Andre Harrell mix and David LaChapelle might be spotted with Daphne Guiness on his lap. Watley is the queen of the venue-she holds court almost every week just past DJ Adam XII’s booth with her friend and Decades cofounder Christos Garkinos. Tonight, the mother of two a self described basketball mom, carpool mom, fabulous mom..” wears all black save for a pair of crystal Jimmy Choo pumps. When she’s in the mood, she’ll fan herself on the dance floor-something she has done since beginning her career as a dancer on Soul Train as a teenager. “I always have my little fan action.” the icon says with a smile. “It’s so glamourous. Eat your heart out Karl Lagerfeld.” Watley shot the video for “Nightlife”, the clubby lead single off her new album “Paradise”,at Giorgio’s.  “I want to inspire people, because people get stuck in a rut.” she says of the music. “Oh, I’m not going out, Oh, the good ole’ days..” And it’s so frustrating. It’s like make new memories! Even if you had a great time ten, twenty, thirty years ago, be fabulous now! You’re alive, Hello!”
The daughter of a Chicago minister, Watley first performed onstage as a child with her godfather, the incredible crooner Jackie Wilson. After relocating to Los Angeles she succeeded in her mission to become a Soul Train regular. In 1977, Don Cornelius the show’s creator and host, selected her to become an original member of the disco super trio-Shalamar, which would record world-class dance-floor anthems like “The Second Time Around” and “A Night To Remember.” Watley left the group after six years, loved to London, and recorded “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with Band Aid.
After returning to Los Angeles three years later, she signed with MCA Records and released her 1987 solo album “Jody Watley”, co-writing a handful of tracks. It contains some of her most enduring dance music, including the lead single “Looking For A New Love” (which features the popular pre Terminator 2 kiss-off “Hasta la vista baby!”). “Don’t You Want Me.” and “Some Kind of Lover.” She accepted her 1988 “Best New Artist” Grammy-winning over Breakfast Club, Cutting Crew, Swing Out Sister and Terence Trent D’Arby – in a vintage dress and biker jacket painted with her likeness.
‘When I signed to MCA, I didn’t see anybody like who I wanted to be.” she says. “I wanted to do that badass fashion chick that’s just different. And not everybody likes her. And not everybody liked me. “You don’t smile, you’re a black girl, you’re glamorous and you’ve got this cold as ice stare.” While in London she sought out designers like Azzedine Alaia, Claude Montana, Vivienne Westwood, and Jean Paul-Gaultier. “I bought one of the first cone bra’s, pre-Madonna. It’s on the single sleeve of “Don’t You Want Me”. I also bought the huge one that she ended up wearing, but the understated one was more me”, she says.
With her gorgeous mane, lean frame, stunning brows illegal cheekbones and ballsy attitude Watley was the perfect subject for fashion’s top photographers.”[When I first started] the label didn’t want to fly me to New York for my first layout for Harper’s Bazaar” she laughs. “So I flew myself out to shoot with Scavullo!” Steven Meisel photographed the cover of her 1989 follow-up album Larger Than Life. The video for ‘Real Love’ was directed by David Fincher and featured her ruling the runway in menswear paving the way for future acts like Aaliyah and TLC.
“I never wanted to be like anybody else” says Watley who, in the decades that followed never stopped recording, performing and changing up her style and sound. Now she’s writing a memoir, which she plans to finish this year.  “I can only be who I am. Because to me that’s what street is. Street is real.” – Mark Jacobs



Jody Watley featuring Shalamar Signs with Pyramid For Exclusive Booking



Following the success of the single "Nightlife"featuring original lead Gerald Brown "Take That To The Bank" and revisiting her disco soul roots, Watley's new show will feature a new Shalamar segment along with her hits and new music, guaranteed to be a nightlife to remember!

Contact smichaels@pyramid-ent.com 

Jody Watley. Paradise.



Cover Art. Jody Watley Paradise EP.  Photography Albert Sanchez. Makeup: Billy B. Dress: Gucci






Get more information on the forthcoming "Paradise" and other Jody Watley Updates  - Visit http://jodywatley.net


Listen to "Sanctuary" Preview: Here

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Catching Up With Jody Watley on JET Magazine


Get ready, Jody Watley fans. The Grammy winner’s new EP, Paradise, hits retail outlets in early 2014. She shared with JET the story behind the album, her future plans and whether there will be a “second time around” for Shalamar. Read it: NOW



Jody Watley Talks Shalamar, Hit Making Solo Run and More

PhotoL Mike Ruiz Makeup: Billy B.


My interview with David Mitchell takes on the business of Shalamar and topics that also include; "a hit-blazing solo run, and her latest endeavor “Nightlife,” the kick-off single from her forthcoming project, Paradise." Another must read: HERE 

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Jody Watley Takes Nightlife to Access Hollywood Live with Billy Bush

© 2013 Jody Watley. Billy Bush, Jody Watley and Kit Hoover

Jody Watley is back with a new single and album. The irresistible "Nightlife" had both hosts Billy Bush and Kit Hoover in the groove, with Bush unable to stay seated getting up and dancing on a memorable interview on Access Hollywood Live. Must see! Watch the archived and check out the dance off and interview: HERE 
The appearance also ended up as one the weeks top moments on TvLine - see who else made the list: HERE

Jody Watley's New Single Nightlife Is A Call To Get Fabulous




©2013 Jody Watley. Billy Johnson of Yahoo Music and Jody Watley 



From Yahoo Music: R and B superstar Jody Watley took some cues from some of her favorite songs when prepping her single "Nightlife," the debut from her first album in seven years.
"Nightlife" is a feel good, soulful dance record that offers an uplifting message with lyrics like, "Life ain't easy. I feel like I want to get out. Have myself a good time." 
Get more fabulous : here in a 3 part video informative and charming Jody Watley interview with Billy Johnson.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Jody Watley. Music Maverick. Wax Poetics Issue 57

Jody Watley by Victoria Pearson

Not everyone fits in with the mainstream. Some are born to be different. They are misfits, individualists, outsiders, and eccentrics that let their freak flags fly. Yet they have found a way to thrive on their own terms, transcending barriers of categorical concepts and popular expectations. Read the story: HERE

A double cover featuring Janelle Monae and Jody Watley, definitely a collectible.



Jody Watley Is Back Talking Iconic Style with Singersroom

©2013 Jody Watley 
Jody Watley is simply FABULOUS! Throughout her career she has been a trendsetter that has never sacrificed her integrity. She taught many how to move on Soul Train, how to groove as a member of Shalamar and she showed fans how hard it is to find a friend or love as a solo artist. Jody Watley talked to us about being authentic, connecting with her fans, her favorite spot in L.A., the dance movement, how controversy plays a big role in music today and more.

Read more: Here


Jody Watley Still A Thrill Talks New Music With Ebony Magazine

© 2013 Jody Watley. Jody Watley with Culture and Arts Editor of Ebony Magazine Miles Marshall Lewis


Check out the video interview with Miles Marshall Lewis talking career longevity and inspirations for "Nightlife" and the forthcoming "Paradise": Here

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Jody Watley Proves She Still Has IT. CentricTV Howard Theatre Concert Review

The name Jody Watley has been an integral part of music for over three decades, and it seems the Grammy award winning R&B/Dance music diva isn’t slowing down any time soon…Click HERE to read full review. 













Of the variety of wardrobe changes and modifications I wore in Washington D.C.'s concert was a custom made kimono styled black sequined paillette belted jacket/top (my design) made by Gloria Garcia-Crouch funked up with black skinny jeans and studded black pumps.
Jody Watley. "LIVE" at The Howard Theatre. Photo: Mark Sutphin (c) 2013


For my 80's portion of pop hits, I quickly changed into a zippered biker jacket and my signature jumbo hoop earrings to the delight of the crowd who cheered loudly as I stood there and put them on saying "I need these" - with white and black spiked studded pumps. My guys accented me with spiked studded caps, bow ties, skinny jeans, white collared shirts and blazers. The outfit was later modified as I musically traveled into a deep cut from my underground electronica foray from 1999 by adding sunglasses, a custom "Classic Valentino" hat by Gladys Tamez Millenary, and another signature that I've performed with since my Soul Train dancer days - a handheld fan for that right touch of nightlife chic attitude. 

Jody Watley. "LIVE" at The Howard Theatre by Larry Webb (c) 2013


Jody Watley. "LIVE" at The Howard Theatre by DARRICK. (c) 2013

The crowd went banana's when I did another change and brought out 'the classic jacket' from my "Some Kind of Lover" and "Everything" video's. The vintage leather biker jacket with my image hand painted on the back, custom spiked, studded and rhinestoned sleeves a weighs over 100 lbs.

Jody Watley. "LIVE" at The Howard Theatre. Photo by: Micky Mic (c) 2013


Jody Watley. "LIVE" at The Howard Theatre. Photo: Alicia Kaye (c) 2013




The concert wouldn't be complete without some Jean Paul-Gaultier; form fitted jacket, black t-shirt, black spiked belt to close with some fashion walk fabulousness on "Real Love."
Jody Watley. "LIVE" The Howard Theatre. Photo: Jay Boucher (c) 2013



Saturday, June 22, 2013

Jody Watley. Elizabeth and James. InStyle.

Arriving Chateau Marmont - one paparazzi asked "Miss Ross?" I laughed and said no "Ms. Jody Watley!"

Jody Watley: Photo Booth InStyle Elizabeth and James
A gorgeous roof-top view from the sixth floor

With Christos Garkinos atop Chateau Marmot


A bit of Los Angeles nightlife with my friend Christos Garkinos at an intimate InStyle hosted handbag event for totally niche and chic line Elizabeth and James at Chateau Marmont. I chose to embrace color-blocking for a change and for the occasion. When we arrived I nearly had mixed emotions because most everyone was in black and or black and white. The only time I like to stand out is onstage and so admittedly, there was a part of me that felt like a fish out of water.
I especially loved the clutch bags which were fabulous as well as the modern take on a photo booth - always a reminder of childhood.



3 Photo's: Jody Watley (c) 2013

Arrival Photo: via Zimbio PacificCoastNews.com